Girard city government slashes budget by $1.6 million

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

girard

Girard will have $1.6 million less to run on this year.

The city will operate on a budget of $13,681,000 for 2010 with $4,631,729 in its general fund. The 2009 budget was $15,282,000.

Council approved the budget 6-1 recently. Councilmen voting for it were Louis Adovasio, Thomas Grumley, Brian Kren, Frank Migliozzi, Joseph Shelby and Larry Steiner; Tom Seidler voted no.

Mayor James Melfi said he viewed the first half of this year as “tight” but expected improvement in the third and fourth quarters, from September to December, as V&M Star moves ahead with its expansion project.

“It will be a difficult balance in the first half,” he said, noting the city was looking ahead to a busy construction season.

Melfi said three Ohio Department of Transportation projects are planned in the city. They are widening of U.S. Route 422 south, which will begin in May and probably run through July, at a cost of $2 million; widening of Interstate 80 through Girard; and replacement of the bridge on I-80 that crosses Route 422.

Melfi said the city would benefit from those projects because of the 2 percent city wage tax that will be assessed on construction workers’ wages.

“We have to be frugal and watchful,” he said. But he emphasized that he is optimistic for the second half of the year.

Auditor Sam Zirafi said the 2010 budget includes a $450,000 reduction in what will be spent from the general fund, a drop of $360,000 for hospitalization and a reduction in federal grants.

“We have to live within our means,” he said. “We’ve cut spending, and we’re taking a conservative approach.”

Zirafi said if more money from residential and business property taxes comes in than expected, then council could make adjustments.

He described the budget as “lean and mean” but noted that “no reduction in city services is anticipated.” He also said there won’t be layoffs , but there will not be any new hires